5 crucial political initiatives you should know about

1. California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act

 Would require labeling of anything that “is or may have been entirely or partially produced” with genetic engineering (labelgmos.org). If passed, the state ballot initiative would likely lead to similar state initiatives elsewhere. Oregon is already working on one (oregonrighttoknow.org).

2. Family and Retirement Health Investment Act (HR 2010 or SB 1098)

 Would allow reimbursement for dietary supplements from health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts up to $1,000. May be reintroduced this summer. Natural Products Association supports it (npainfo.org).

3. Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act

 Would add 25 substances to the list of controlled anabolic steroids and give the Drug Enforcement Agency greater authority to remove suspected products from the market during testing. NPA supports it (npainfo.org).

4. Organic Research and Promotion Order

Would establish an industry-funded research and marketing program for organic, similar to those already in place for beef, eggs and milk. Organic Trade Association is holding town-hall meetings to discuss the idea, which would take as many as three years to implement (ota.com).

5. New Dietary Ingredients (NDI) guidance

Will be revised from its July 2011 initial draft to address differences on the issues of Old Dietary Ingredients, probiotics, synthetic botanicals and others. NPA successfully lobbied for the revision (npainfo.org).